1 Everyone on this earth,now listen to what I say!
2 Listen, no matter who you are,rich or poor.
3 I speak words of wisdom,and my thoughts make sense.
4 I have in mind a mysterythat I will explainwhile playing my harp.
5 Why should I be afraidin times of trouble,when I am surroundedby vicious enemies?
6 They trust in their richesand boast aboutall their wealth.
7 You cannot buy back your lifeor pay off God!
8 It costs far too muchto buy back your life.You can never pay God enough
9 to stay alive for everand safe from death.
10 We see that wise people die,and so do stupid fools.Then their money is leftfor someone else.
11 The grave will be their homefor ever and ever,although they once had landof their own.
12 Our human glory disappears,and, like animals, we die.
13 Here is what happens to foolsand to those who trustthe words of fools:
14 They are like sheepwith death as their shepherd,leading them to the grave.In the morning God's peoplewill walk all over them,as their bodies lie rottingin their home, the grave.
15 But God will rescue mefrom the power of death.
16 Don't let it bother youwhen others get richand live in luxury.
17 Soon they will dieand all their wealthwill be left behind.
18 We humans are praisedwhen we do well,and all of us are gladto be alive.
19 But we will each go downto our ancestors,never again to seethe light of day.
20 Our human glory disappears,and, like animals, we die.